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Atheist License Plate Inspires Lawsuit in NJ

Claiming discrimination, a woman is suing the state of New Jersey because it rejected her request for a license plate that read "8THEIST."

After her custom plate was rejected by the Motor Vehicle Commission website,Maurice Township, N.J. resident Shannon Morgan entered "BAPTIST." It was accepted. This triggered the lawsuit, and Morgan is being represented by the Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

However, a rep for the MVC points to American Atheists presidentDavid Silverman being given the plate "ATHE1ST" as evidence that it doesn't discriminate. But Morgan's suit argues that the simple fact that Silverman had to battle for approval proves the discrimination exists.

What's more, the fact that the MVC admits to reviewing each request personally and "for anything that's offensive of objectionable" suggests that they're all subject to strict scrutiny.